Black River Wetland Creation & Stream Enhancement
Lodi, Ohio | Wetland Creation | Stream Enhancement | Vernal Pools | Mitigation Site Restoration
Environmental Remediation Contractor (ERC) served as the general contractor for a large wetland and stream restoration project on a 55-acre mitigation site near Lodi, Ohio.
The land had been farmed, and the goal was to bring back wetland and stream function. That meant creating new wetland habitat, enhancing an existing stream, and building water conditions that could support the ecosystem for the long term.
ERC created more than 24 acres of wetlands and enhanced more than 1,000 linear feet of stream, then seeded 54 acres after construction.
Project at a Glance
- Location: Lodi, Ohio
- Client: National conservation nonprofit
- Engineers / Consultants: Ecological design consultants
- General Contractor: Environmental Remediation Contractor (ERC)
- Contract Value: over $500,000
Key Project Results
- 55-acre mitigation site restored
- 24+ acres of new wetlands created
- 1,000+ linear feet of stream enhanced
- 54 acres of post-construction seeding
- Vernal pools, stream habitat structures, live stakes, and wetland plugs installed
How Do You Turn Farmland Back Into Wetland?
Farmland is often graded and drained to move water off quickly. Restoring a wetland means reversing that so water stays on the land.
ERC completed large-scale excavation, precision grading, and drainage modifications, and installed water-flow controls to create lasting wetland hydrology and a range of habitat zones.
What Are Vernal Pools?
Vernal pools are shallow, seasonal wetlands that fill in spring and dry out later in the year. They provide breeding habitat for amphibians and insects that can’t survive where fish live.
ERC built vernal pools as part of the habitat mix on this site.
How Was the Stream Enhanced?
Stream stability and erosion control were top priorities. ERC used targeted bank stabilization to reduce sediment and protect the stream, and installed habitat structures and live stakes along the corridor.
More than 1,000 linear feet of stream were enhanced.
How Was the Site Revegetated?
ERC installed native seed, wetland plugs, and live stakes, then completed post-construction seeding across 54 acres to establish native plant communities.
Why Was This Project Complex?
ERC had to manage several conditions at once:
- Large-scale ecological earthwork
- Converting former farmland to wetland
- Building lasting wetland hydrology
- Stream bank stabilization and habitat structures
- Vernal pool construction
- Native revegetation across more than 50 acres
Who Performs Large-Scale Wetland Restoration in Ohio?
Large wetland projects need contractors who can handle major earthwork precisely and understand how grading shapes water and habitat.
ERC performs wetland creation, stream enhancement, and habitat restoration for conservation organizations, public agencies, and ecological consultants across Ohio and the region.
What Services Did ERC Provide on This Project?
- Wetland Restoration and Creation
- Stream Restoration and Enhancement
- Ecological Earthwork and Precision Grading
- Vernal Pool Construction
- Drainage Modifications and Hydrologic Controls
- Erosion and Sediment Control
- Native Seeding, Live Staking, and Wetland Plugs
Planning a Wetland or Mitigation Project?
Environmental Remediation Contractor provides field execution for wetland and stream restoration at any scale, from earthwork through planting.
ERC works with conservation organizations, public agencies, park districts, engineers, and ecological consultants to turn restoration designs into working habitat.